From May through September, Ferry Reach near the town of St. George’s comes alive every two weeks with an ear-piercing roar of Evinrude, Yamaha and Mercury engines, as drivers take their machines to the limit in water-skimming circuits down to Grotto Bay or joint-jarring offshore rides out through the pylons.

The season reaches a peak with The Rubis Around the Island Race, one of the Islands classic sporting challenges. For over 29 years now, the annual battle between man, boat and nature has thrilled drivers and fans alike.

For today’s drivers like Derek and Damon Simons, they drive their own Ocke Mannerfelt B23 boats which were built in Sweden and both sport Mercury 200xs engines.

On May 29th, the 2016 racing season started in Bermuda.

With a slow start to the season as not all boats were ready to show the race was on. With speeds ranging from 60 to 108mph with A, B, D and S classes racing.

The day had perfect racing conditions.

Results from race:

A Class honors to Sal DeMello (rookie driver) Cleveland “Chicken” Maybury
B Class Ryan Davidge / Andrew Osbourne
D Class Howie Ascento / Jason Dill
S Class Neil Fox / Kim McCallan (rookie co-pilot and vice commodore)

Next race will be held on June 12th with more boats and new boats are expected to race.

With the return of the Selley Twins in B class the battle will be on.